Cous Canyon - September 27, 2026, Harvey Pearson

Seven of us arrived at Canal Beach in Port Alberni to a cold, foggy morning.  No doubt, we overdressed and were down to T-shirts by afternoon with what turned out to be a beautiful sunny day.  The highlight of the day was seeing humpback whales this far up the Alberni Canal, very unusual.  We also saw seals, eagles, kingfishers, and herons.  

The tide was high and finding a place to beach for snacks was a bit of a challenge.  It was us or the driftwood.  

Arriving at Cous Canyon, our timing was great.  Lots of cold, green water took us well inland under the shade of maple leaves turning orange and gold.  A well-seasoned group, we had much to talk about.  All in all, the trip was 7.9 miles and four hours long.

Taylor Estuary/Sproat Lake - September 22, 2026, Ron Stephenson

Twelve people joined the paddle to Taylor River estuary.  The wind was supposed to be strong, but the day was sunny and the lake was flat and calm. 

We went to look at the spawning salmon (2nd picture with white paddle shows some as dark images in the water, but they were classic flame red and olive green in colour) and did see quite a few.  The river was very low and salmon were confined to the deeper pools in the river.

We also paddled the south shore of Sproat Lake to the Snow Creek Provincial campsite.  The campsite is very nice and well maintained.  Accessible by road, and we were also happy to find a government outhouse.

Many people enjoyed the slow pace of this paddle.  It was great to meet new members of our paddling group.

Goose Lake Trip Report - Sept. 15, 2026, Harvey Pearson

The next day after the Amor Lake paddle, we four campers proceeded to Morton Lake Provincial Park and launched our kayaks onto the northerly reach of Mohun Lake.  That gave us access to Goose Lake, another leg of the Sayward Canoe Route.  Originally, we had thought of doing Brewster Lake this day, but decided that Goose Lake would be something new for most.  The lovely flexibility of just four people.  Goose Lake turned out to be very interesting, with many islands and coves, and we got to meet some of the canoe groups, mostly young women from back East.  Both days were a little windy but more than manageable, and the sunshine more than made up for the little bit of choppy water.

Amor Lake Trip Report - Sept 14, 2026, Harvey Pearson

Only four members ventured into the pristine forests of the Sayward Canoe Route but we were well rewarded with good sunny weather, hot at times, and good company.  The small group size allowed us great flexibility in exploring where we chose to, and setting our own schedule.  At nighttime, we had a great bonfire to warm our spirits and good conversation to whet our interest.  Although we did not see very much wildlife on this trip, the many islands and coves, the scenic mountains more than made up for that.  

Cortes Island Trip - Sept 8-11, 2026

 

Cortes Trip Report – Sept 8 – 11, 2026

 

26 members of our group met on Cortes Island for 4 memorable days of kayaking, exploring and socializing. Getting to the Island involved driving to Campbell River before taking 2 ferries to arrive at our destination.

 

Day 1 – Sept 8

 

After checking into the Gorge Harbour Marina Resort, 

 

we got together in the back deck of the Lodge for Dinner followed by an orientation session.   

 

Day 2 – Sept 9 

 

In the morning, Harvey led a 4-hour paddle exploring Gorge Harbour. After launching our kayaks at the Marina, we paddled past many boats anchored in the Harbour and then saw petroglyphs etched into the cliffs overlooking the entrance to the Gorge. 

 

We also paddled past many shellfish farms located in the Harbour.  

 

 

 

Some of the group toured the entrance to Desolation Sound on a 3 ½ hour paddle led by Cortes Kayaks.  Others explored Cortes – including the bakery at the Cortes Natural Food Co-Op in Mansons Landing, Smelt Bay Provincial Campground and Hollyhock Retreat Centres’ amazing gardens.

 

  

 

Afternoon

 

Some of the group participated in the Desolation Sound tour with Cortes Kayaks. 

 

Others explored the Island and some chose to relax in the Pool and Hot Tub at the Resort.

 

Evening

 

Most of the group met for dinner at the Barbecue and Picnic area on the Resort’s waterfront. This was followed by lots of socializing around the campfire.

 

  

Some people headed off to a 3-hr Bioluminescence Tour with Cortes Kayaks at Mansons Landing.  

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3 – Sept 10

 

In the morning Scott led a tour of Hague and Gunflint Lakes. 

 

 

The group enjoyed an easy paddle on both lakes and challenged themselves to navigate the narrow channel joining the lakes. After the paddle many in the group had a refreshing swim in Hague Lake. 

 

 

 

Harvey led a group from Mansons’ Landing to Marina Island. The trip to the Island was a challenge due to the strong headwinds. The group spent some time exploring Shark Spit on the Island and then had the winds at their back on the return to Mansons Landing.

 

 

Evening

 

Dinner was at the Gazebo where we brought our own meals and some bought food from the Resort’s Food Truck. We then headed to the waterfront for a bonfire and watched the sunset. Ron, Doug and Jim entertained the group with a few musical offerings. 

 

Some of the group took in the amazing Bioluminescence paddle offered by Cortes Kayaks.

 

Day 4 – Sept 11

 

Most of the group chose to head home the next day. A few people stayed to paddle in the Squirrel Cove area on the east side of the Island.

Cortes Island: Hague Lake, September 10, 2026 - Scott & Donna Roy

 Sept 10 – Cortes Trip - Hague and Gunflint Lakes paddle

13 PGOSA Paddlers convoyed for 20 minutes from the Gorge Harbour Resort and met at the Hague Lake Provincial Park Day-use area. We parked in the day-use parking lot beside Seaford Road then carted our kayaks for about 100 metres down a trail to the launch site. 

 

Once on the water Scott led the group in a counterclockwise direction on Hague Lake and we paddled past numerous cottages. A northwest wind picked up as we headed around the far or east side of the lake.

We then paddled northward towards the channel between Hague and Gunflint Lakes. Ron took the lead in guiding the group through this narrow and shallow opening. We definitely had to make sure that our rudders were not in the water.

 

 The group was then rewarded with reaching Gunflint Lake. We circumnavigated the lake 

 before returning to Hague Lake via the narrow channel. We paddled on the north side of the lake before returning to our starting point – the gorgeous white sandy beach at the Provincial Park. 

 

After being on the water for 2 hours we had our lunches and many in the group enjoyed swimming in the warm Hague Lake waters. After loading our kayaks and gear onto our vehicles many people drove 5 minutes to the Village of Mansons Landing and enjoyed the offerings at the bakery in the Cortes Natural Food Co-Op.

Cortes Island: Manson's Landing to Shark Spit, September 10, 2026 - Harvey Pearson

Our start was exciting:  to gain access to the ocean, we had to run rapids from a quickly emptying lagoon.   As we traveled north 12 kms to Marina Island, the ten members braved a very strong headwind.   Enroute, a rugged broken coastline with many small islands and coves presented interesting marine views and scenery, from cliff top houses to passing sailboats, from colonies of seals to spotting sea urchins and anemones along the way.  After a somewhat arduous paddle, we were rewarded with a very pleasant lunch spot at Shark Spit adjacent to Uganda Passage.  A happy group, we quickly found our way home with a strong breeze at our back and a straight line run to the launching point.  This no doubt will be a favorite paddle for some, myself included.